Former Cheetahs player Rayno Nel wins World's Strongest Man title
In a monumental achievement for African sport, Rayno Nel, a former Cheetahs rugby player turned strongman, has been crowned the 2025 World's Strongest Man, becoming the first African to ever win the prestigious title in the event's 48-year history.
Nel's victory also marks the first time a rookie has claimed the title since 1997, breaking long-standing regional dominance by European and North American athletes.
'I'm just over the moon,' Rayno Nel said after the final event in Sacramento.
'To represent South Africa in any way whatsoever feels surreal. I mean, we're a small country with a lot of struggles. To have something like this – I know it means a lot to my people.'
Nel, 30, dominated the early stages of the final, finishing no worse than second in Saturday's three events. But looming ahead were his weakest events: the Flintstone Barbell, which involves overhead pressing 531 pounds, and the iconic Atlas Stones, where competitors lift a series of stones weighing up to 460 pounds.
Making things even tougher, 2023 champion Mitch Hooper and three-time winner Tom Stoltman were close on his heels.
'Knowing your two worst events are coming up is tough. But knowing Mitch and Tom are behind you -that's something else,' Nel said.
'I just tried to stay focused and do as much damage control as I could.'
In a nail-biting finale, Rayno Nel delivered a third-place finish in the Atlas Stones, doing just enough to edge out Stoltman by half a point and secure the championship.
Just three years ago, Nel was still playing professional rugby, a sport he once assumed would define his athletic career.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 326 pounds (148kg), he realised he often overpowered larger opponents – and wondered if his strength could translate into something more.
'I always had a competitive streak,' he said.
'When I left rugby, I knew I needed something to push me again. That's just who I am.'
Fate played a role, too.
Nel happened to live just 5km from the top strongman training facility in South Africa, run by coach Terence Bosman.
'The strongman community is small back home. But I was lucky – I lived near the best place to train,' Nel said.
Despite winning continental strongman contests prior to this, Nel said World's Strongest Man was a huge step up.
Of the 25 global competitors, he had only faced one before.
'I wasn't star struck, but this stage is different,' he admitted.
'But I knew their numbers. Deep down, I knew I had a chance.'
Rayno Nel's victory is more than personal – it's a symbolic breakthrough for a continent long underrepresented in global strength competitions.
His win signals a new era, with Africa no longer just competing – but winning.
When asked how he would celebrate, Nel laughed.
'Just a beer with my family,' he said, joking that his favourite South African brand, Black Label, might be hard to find in California.
'I'll try some American beer tonight.'
Rayno Nel is now officially the strongest man in the world – and a national hero back home. Post your congratulations below, by …
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